Chelsea fullback Marcos Alonso is full of pride being back in the Spain squad.

It was three years ago that Alonso had previously been involved for Spain, but he was recalled by manager Luis Enrique for this week's conclusion of their Nations League campaign and named in the starting XI for the semi-final against European champions Italy.

Alonso said, "It was my best match. Against Italy, at San Siro, after they had 37 games without losing and being European champions - it was a great opportunity to show that we are a great team. I was left with the desire to put the finishing touch on the game with the occasion that I had.

"We were better, we controlled the game. The truth is that I'm very happy. We beat an Italy side that were on a tremendously long run. We were much better, especially in the first half. Our level dropped in the second half and we paid the price a bit, but the win is all that counts."

He added: "More than anything, little by little people in Spain are getting to know me. I have had a career abroad, people see La Liga more than the Premier League there and it may have been surprising, but I know what I am capable of and what I have been doing for years."